Coco Gauff Stunned By Anastasia Potapova In French Open Third Round Upset

Gauff’s French Open title defence ends in Paris

Potapova called beating Gauff “up there in the top three” wins of her career as she knocked the defending champion out of the French Open in straight sets and a tiebreak.

Gauff falls at Roland Garros as Potapova books meeting with Anna Kalinskaya...

Defending champion Coco Gauff crashed out of Roland Garros on Saturday as Anastasia Potapova sealed a 4-6 7-6(1) 6-4 win to reach the fourth round and keep her first Grand Slam title bid alive.

Potapova stunned Gauff with aggressive baseline power, breaking to love in the first game. She then went up 4-2 after the American slipped and tumbled to the clay on Court Philippe Chatrier while chasing a ball.

It’s been a brutal stretch for the big names at Roland Garros. With Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic already out of the men’s draw, Gauff couldn’t find her top level when it counted and became the latest star to exit early.

Gauff’s early exit leaves four-time winner Iga Swiatek and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka as the main title favorites. Meanwhile Potapova now looks like a serious dark horse after pulling off a huge upset.

“I'm cramping a little ‌bit, but it's OK, it's all good. I ⁠don't have any words now, I'm ‌extremely happy,” Potapova said during her on-court interview, clutching her right arm after 2 hours 37 minutes of heavy hitting.

“The fight we could show, both of us... Coco's such a champion and I respect her so much. I'm unbelievably proud of myself that I stayed there, that I was fighting until the very last point.”

Potapova rattled Gauff with heavy baseline power and broke to love right away. She then moved 4-2 up after the American slipped and fell to the clay on Court Philippe Chatrier while chasing a ball.

Gauff picked herself up and took the next two games as a thin crowd watched on, with attention divided between PSG’s Champions League final against Arsenal in Budapest and home favorite Moise Kouame playing on the other court.

Head high, Anastasia, this is your moment 💫#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/LFRMPDTxYi

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 30, 2026

The 22-year-old lifted her level to close out the first set, but Potapova responded immediately in the second. The Russian-born player went after Gauff’s shaky serve and grabbed a double break to start the set.

Potapova moves on and upsets Gauff 🤯 🤯 #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/FOLGuABEZp

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 30, 2026

Potapova looked set to level the match at 5-2, but Gauff found another gear and reeled off four straight games. She then dropped the next game and the set in a tiebreak, with her serve failing her at the crucial moments.

The two players traded breaks in a frantic deciding set, but Gauff lost momentum as Potapova seized control. The Russian went on to close it out in style and booked a fourth-round clash with 22nd seed Anna Kalinskaya.

BIG win on the BIG stage 🏟️

Anastasia Potapova knocks out the defending champion Gauff in three sets!#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/jcLXL2D0jQ

— wta (@WTA) May 30, 2026

Ranked 30th in the world, Potapova called it one of the biggest wins of her career. 

“It's ⁠up there in the top three ‌for sure,” she added.